AuthorTopic: Working During 1L (Read 1183 times)

While it surely not adviseable during 1L, what exactly are the rules in this regard? I've not until after November. Does one sign some sort of binding contract that is enforceable? Who maintains oversight? Would those Westlaw/library jobs where you get paid to do your homework be available for 1Ls if not binding/enforceable?

While it surely not adviseable during 1L, what exactly are the rules in this regard? I've not until after November. Does one sign some sort of binding contract that is enforceable? Who maintains oversight? Would those Westlaw/library jobs where you get paid to do your homework be available for 1Ls if not binding/enforceable?

there is a thread about this and I'm too lazy to search for it. however, the general guidelines are no more than 20 hours, I believe it is an ABA suggestion but from what I've seen there isn't a whole lot of policing that goes on. i don't know of any school in particular that makes you sign something; my school does not allow us to work more than twenty hours. i will be working eventually...i'm not comfy without an income but it will be tough. if you have never worked a significant amount of hours and balanced school (30+) I don't think law school should be your time to learn

I believe that some schools actually do make you sign a contract... I want to say Case does, but I'm not positive. At any rate, I second Greengrl -- if you haven't done it before, now is not the time to learn. And I wouldn't take on anything too stressful. If I can, I'll probably take on a library job or something of that nature (maybe 5-10 hours a week or so). You'll have to check with your specific law school, though, and see what they offer.

Thanks guys. I worked 20-25 hrs/week as a server in fine dining during undergrad as it's evening/weekend schedule best accommodated classes and studying. If anything, I am looking for the 5-10 hrs/week "get-paid-to-study" positions offered by the law school or university. It sounds like this might be an option. Thanks!! Greengrl you've certainly been a wealth of knowledge for me on more than one occasion.

Thanks guys. I worked 20-25 hrs/week as a server in fine dining during undergrad as it's evening/weekend schedule best accommodated classes and studying. If anything, I am looking for the 5-10 hrs/week "get-paid-to-study" positions offered by the law school or university. It sounds like this might be an option. Thanks!! Greengrl you've certainly been a wealth of knowledge for me on more than one occasion.

[/b]

glad I could help i've worked fine dining as well and blah! i don't think i could handle whiny, picky people all through law school--go the 'paid to study' route

I plan on transfering to a Barnes and Noble in the Chicago area and working a max of 10 hrs a week. If only to get 30% off my textbooks but I also enjoy working there. On the flipside I am not afraid to quit if it turns out to be too much.

Good point. I think I will try to score a job in the library or as a gym monitor. If anything, it sets time aside to study and if you end up having to do too much or not being able to accomplish anything, quitting is no big deal. I am sure most people are facing very tight budgets during first year and an extra couple hundred a month would surely help.

The ABA limits it to 20 hours. Some schools do make you sign contracts (I know Rutgers made my partner sign one.)

Plenty of people have no "choice" but to work during 1L and they manage. Beyond that, there are plenty of part-time students who are only doing only 3-4 credit hours less than full-timers, but working 40+ hour jobs and raising families too.

It's amazing what people can manage when they have to.

It'll make law school more challenging, but it's better than being homeless!

I'll be working 15 hours a week in a leadership position at work, but my hours are flexible and work-from-home and mostly done via the computer. I'd love not to work, but I can't afford not to - and, I think it'll be a nice little relief from LS too.